Category Archives: London

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Today’s post comes from University of California – Berkeley student Ashley McQuade, who spent her first semester of college in London as part of UC Berkeley’s signature Global Edge program. Faced with the choice between starting her college experience on campus and experiencing her first classes abroad, Ashley chose to take the plunge and travel to London for her first semester. Continue reading →

In early October, students from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism spent four days in Manchester and MediaCityUK in nearby Salford as part of a practicum course designed to introduce communications and media industries in the UK. The custom course provides close contact with industry professionals, ideally timed as the third-year students prepare for graduation and their first job search. Continue reading →

Today’s post comes from UC Berkeley student Deborah Oh, who joined the University College London’s ice hockey team. There, she found regular physical activity, expanded opportunities to explore London, and the friendship and collaboration that springs from team sports.

Our latest blog post comes from ACCENT London’s newest recruit Jessie Buller, who joins ACCENT as an Assistant Programs Coordinator after finishing her undergraduate degree at King’s College London. As part of her degree, Jessie spent a semester abroad at the University of Toronto. After exploring Toronto and the Anglo-French city of Montréal, Jessie reflects on her time abroad and how it enhanced her understanding of her own cultural identity.

ACCENT London’s Harry Isitt, a native Londoner, recently stumbled across London’s Magnificent Seven: seven overgrown, architecturally beautiful cemeteries that serve as the final resting place of over a million people. Harry discusses the historical and social origins of these cemeteries, the famous people interred therein, and the quiet, eerie beauty of these sites.

University of California student Rachel DeAngelis is no stranger to our ACCENT Study Centers in Europe. An adventurous traveler, Rachel has studied abroad with ACCENT three times in three separate cities. Each time, Rachel has taken full advantage of the services offered by our ACCENT staff and the opportunities that abound in some of the most beautiful cities on Earth. Rachel has opted to share some of her best memories of her time abroad and offers some tips for making the most of this one-of-a-kind experience!Continue reading →

In this week’s post, ACCENT London’s Intern Plamen Momchilov describes the city’s vibrant Pride celebrations, its long struggle for LGBTQ+ equality, and the truly informative retrospectives on display this summer throughout London’s museums. We hope all of our staff and students in London have a Happy Pride!

People tend to say that London is a colorless urban jungle that can be painted only in grey. However, each summer, its busy high streets become decorated in color to mark a most joyful celebration of diversity and equality. Continue reading →

In this week’s post, ACCENT London’s Programs Coordinator Harry Isitt discusses his favorite place to enjoy a quick bite and its unique place in film history.

They say that once you have a favorite local spot, be it a pub, a café, or a restaurant, that nothing can top it. In my case, my favorite local London joint is Santa Maria Pizzeria in South Ealing. This Neapolitan-owned pizzeria has been serving West Londoners like me the best pizza outside of Naples over the last 7 years and has built a devoted following in the process.Continue reading →

Today’s post comes from Programs Coordinator Steph Bell, who tells us why the Wallace Collection is one of her favorite places to visit in London.

In my free time, you’ll often find me at the Wallace Collection, one of the lesser-known museums in the heart of London—just a 10-minute walk from Oxford Street. Housed in a large townhouse on Manchester Square, the original owners of the museum bequeathed their Collection to the Nation in 1900 under the condition that none of its items were to ever be sold. Continue reading →

In this week’s post, ACCENT London’s Programs Coordinator Kadri Paju and Assistant Director Matt Maslin talk about their favorite local spots for quick snacks and delicious meals, both conveniently located near the ACCENT London Study Center!

Kadri Paju likes…

Caffe Paradiso, 28 Store Street

Whenever I’m in Bloomsbury early in the morning, I treat myself to an almond croissant and a cappuccino at Caffe Paradiso on Store Street.

Today’s post comes from University of Southern California student Tara Bitran, who spent four exciting months in London. Below is an excerpt from Tara’s travel blog, wherein she says a poignant goodbye to London, promising to visit again soon.

Well, guess it’s time to hang up now. London called, and I indeed answered. It’s been a long four months of spotty connections and some heartfelt moments, but all in all, I’m pretty happy with how this phone call has played out— probably the most fruitful of my life, in fact.

Our first post this year comes from Rona Wang, a first-year student who studied in London for her fall semester with UC Berkeley’s Global Edge program. One of the courses Global Edge participants take is called London: Theatre Capital, taught by Professor Alan Read from King’s College London. In her post, Rona analyzes one of the plays the class attended and describes how studying theater in London has been a truly eye-opening experience.

UC Berkeley Global Edge courses are designed to let us take university breadth requirements while also learning more about the city we are studying in. One of our London-based courses is called “London: Theatre Capital,” in which we attend a performance every other week, alternating with site visits to places like the Tate Modern to explore what “performance” really means. Continue reading →

Our final ACCENT blog post of the year comes from UC Berkeley Global Edge student Lynn Hoang, who shares with us how spending the first semester of her Freshman year in London broadened her perspective, inspired personal growth, and gave her the chance to develop firm friendships with her classmates.

The best advice I would give to anyone studying abroad is to prepare yourself for change. Continue reading →

Following up from last week’s entry on Tuscan cuisine, this week’s post comes from Kadri Paju, our new Programs Coordinator at the ACCENT London Study Center. Kadri is originally from Tallinn, Estonia and studied in Palermo, Sicily as part of her undergraduate degree. Kadri describes to us how being exposed to the rich culinary culture of Sicily helped her overcome the language barrier.

With very limited Italian language skills and having never traveled to Italy, I decided to study abroad in Palermo, Sicily. I had no idea what to expect. Needless to say, the year I spent there was extremely challenging and rewarding.Continue reading →

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Welcome to ACCENTblogs!

Over 25 years ago, ACCENT was born of the dream to see students from all over the United States engaging with and learning from an increasingly complex and diverse Europe. The goal: to empower students with global perspective through custom study abroad programming. The power of the study abroad experience to transform not only the way we see the world, but the way we see ourselves, is what inspires every member of the ACCENT community to continue their work in international education.

This is study abroad, ACCENT style. Our community is far-reaching and dedicated to inspiring internationally focused intercultural experiences. This is our forum for sharing these experiences with you. Share yours with us today!